Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant
And why at Shimmer, we only carry deodorant
One of the most common things I hear in the shop when someone’s shopping for deodorant is:
“But does this really work?”
The short answer? Yes—for many people. But the longer (and more honest) answer is: it depends on your body chemistry.
At Shimmer, we carry aluminum-free deodorants like Hume—one of our newest arrivals—because we believe in clean ingredients and helping the body do what it’s naturally supposed to do. But here’s where the confusion often comes in:
Sometimes people try a clean deodorant and come back saying, “It didn’t work.” When I ask a little more, they almost always say, “I was still sweating.”
That’s when I gently explain: You’re supposed to sweat. That’s the job of your sweat glands, not your deodorant.
What’s the difference?
Deodorant helps control odor. It uses ingredients like natural enzymes, essential oils, or baking soda to fight off the bacteria that cause body odor.
Antiperspirant, on the other hand, contains aluminum, which temporarily blocks your sweat glands to stop you from sweating. Sweating is a good thing! It helps regulate your temperature and release toxins. Clean deodorants won’t stop that process—they’ll just help you stay fresh while it happens.
Here at Shimmer, we only sell deodorants, not antiperspirants. And yes, that means you’re still going to sweat—just without the funk.
So how do I know if it’s working?
Every body is different. I’ve tried deodorants that work amazingly for me, and others that just don’t cut it. And what doesn’t work for me might be your new favorite.
Your body chemistry, diet, stress levels, even the weather can affect how a deodorant performs.
We usually tell customers to give it about 3 weeks. That’s how long your body typically needs to adjust, especially if you’re switching from a conventional antiperspirant. During that time, you might even feel like you’re sweating more—that’s totally normal. Think of it as a mini detox.
Why we love Hume
Hume is aluminum-free, baking soda-free (great if you have sensitive skin), and includes ingredients like probiotics and desert botanicals that actually support your skin’s microbiome. It's also designed to be long-lasting, skin-friendly, and odor-neutralizing without harsh chemicals. If you’ve been wanting to make the switch to a clean deodorant, Hume is a great place to start.
And as always, if you’re not sure where to begin, come by the shop—we’re always happy to help you figure out what might work for your unique body.
Plant-based deodorant with a powerful blend of prebiotics, probiotics and mineral-rich ingredients that work with your body — not against it — to nourish the skin microbiome and prevent odor before it forms. Our groundbreaking formula works in 4 ways to prevent odor and wetness.
1. Stop Odor Prebiotic and probiotic formula stops odor before it starts
2. Stay Dry Diatomaceous earth absorbs sweat to keep you dry
3. Support Microbiome Desert botanicals nourish the skin and support the skin barrier
4. Clean Ingredients Plant-based, aluminum free and baking soda free formula Hume supernatural deodorant includes new blue agave and chicory root prebiotic inulin.
We are aluminum free, baking soda free, cruelty free, phthalate free and gluten free and made for all Hume(n)s.
Wild Coral scent: Euphoric notes of pressed watermelon in a field of star lily, effortlessly grounded by creamy vanilla and rich sandalwood and santal.
Ingredients: Propylene Glycol1, Water (Aqua), Sodium Stearate1, Propanediol1, Diatomaceous Earth3, Silica3, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate2, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice1, Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil1, Lactobacillus Ferment2, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract1, Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract1, Kaolin3, Tapioca Starch1, Glycerin1, Sorbitan Stearate1, Stearyl Alcohol1, Ethylhexylglycerin1, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside1, Polyglyceryl-10-Caprylate1, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate1, Glyceryl Caprylate1, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate1, Citric Acid1 1Plant-based, 2Probiotic-based, 3Naturally occurring
• Weight: 0.13 oz (3.69 g)